On April 20 previously I saw

The weather here in the UK remains depressing – dreary, cold and showery. And just to cheer me up the headline in one of yesterday’s newspapers proclaimed that May’s weather would be worse! Well, I really enjoyed reading that!

From my records it is now official – Spring Is Late. I know that because at this time of year the camera is normally out on a daily basis documenting the changes in the garden and I have just checked back through images shot on April 20 in each of the last 3 years and they confirm it. Spring is now definitely late – I realize my assessment is hardly scientific but it is interesting to be able  to compare Spring year by year.

So to cheer us all up here’s what has previously been happening on April 20 in the last 3 years.

On this day in previous years, Apple blossom was well established. Today the trees are speckled with tight buds of blossom, waiting for sun.

 On this day previously the Wisteria leaves were gracefully unfurling and the flowers were in bloom. Leaves today are vestigial bundles of filaments. Flower buds are well developed but the flower heads are hidden.

And on this day Smoke Bush leaves were establishing themselves. Today they too are tight leaf buds

But there is always something that bucks the trend showing how fickle and unpredictable Spring can be. In 2010, Plum blossom was late, choosing to arrive at the same time as Apple Blossom.

I hope that brightens up someone’s day. It will all turn out right eventually. Patience, patience.